Milo has been limping for a few weeks now on and off. We took him to the vets who said is was a soft tissue injury (his toe) and we should do our best to rest him - one problem - he is an 8 month old labrador! He has good days, and then he runs like a puppy does, no stopping him, and hes limping again. i was wondering if I could use arnica cream and maybe tablets, obviously designed for humans. I am a great believer in homeopathy and I am sure this would aid the healing process. But I am just unsure whether to use human designed products. Any advise please... 

Hi :)

Homeopathy products for humans are fine for animals. Arnica is great for soft tissue damage, but Arnica cream should never be used on any broken skin, cuts, wounds, grazes etc. :)

Kath.

Is arnica cream (and possibly the tablets) not herbal rather than homeopathic?

Hi Isabel, :)

Arnica should never be taken internally in its herbal form as it can cause severe irritation and inflamation to the stomach. I think it can be used herbally as a cream but it's probably well diluted for the same reason.  Even a homeopathic arnica cream can irritate broken skin.

Kath.

Homeopathy uses extremely dilute forms of the plant or other substances, herbalists use either the whole plant or parts of it & it is full strength(sort of) the 2 are not the same. So h/pathic arnica cream/tabs are homeopathic.
[link]http://www.naturodoc.com/cardinal/naturopathy/whatisNM.htm#Botanical%20Medicine%20(Phytotherapy)[link/]

Christine, Spain.

I know they are not the same Christine what I am wondering is are the commonly bought arnica creams herbal or homeopathic, ie are they made from a tincture of mountain tobacco or are they merely a oil based cream with homeopathic arnica added.

If they say h/pathic Isabel I would take it it they`ve been made h/pathically. I`ve only bought it from Ainsworths, H/B & the one called Nelsons & another one from h/pathic vet & they all said h/pathic cream. Have a look & see what does it say on yours, are you worried, if so maybe best not to use it :)

Christine, Spain.

I don't have any Christine, I was just curious as I always assumed it was herbal and when I looked it up in my dictionary it is described thus and yet all the replies seemed to be talking about homeopathic.  Anything herbal should be discussed with the vet as they can be contraindicated with other treatment and are not always appropriate soon after surgery if they have an anticoagulant effect.  If it is homeopathic apart from the inadvisability of applying non-sterile lotions to a wound (bugs love warm and damp remember :)) I don't believe it would matter.

Isabel
Homeopathy Atheist ;)

Isabel H/patic vets are vets that have studied for several more yrs ordinary vets & then gone on to qualify in homeopathy, making them qualified vets that are then qualified in homeopathy ;) :D They then go on to practice in veterinary homeopathy, now I call that taking a great interest in what you believe. Me I believe in what I know to be right & thats all that matters to me & mine :)

* I don't believe it would matter.* As you are a *Homeopathy Atheist * I take it your questions are not to find info but purely argumentative & of no relevence what so ever to the topic in question??

May I suggest to you, that what you yourself suggests to others, is if you require further info on homeopathy/alternative medicine is ASK A VET :D :D :D homeopathic or not, whatever you believe in ;)

Christine, Spain.

Just a small point folks its homoeopathic Grr one of my pet peeves the misspelling of homoeopathic(along with separate being given 3 e's too) There are three o's ;)

I`ll remember that next time M/M :D

Christine, Spain

Moonmaiden, if you can tell me how I can type the oe together in the greek fashion on my keyboard I will be happy to spell it how you prefer :)

LOL Isabel try pressing the o key then the e key then the o key again oeo like that ;)

Sorry but Homoeopathy is correct not just the greek "style"my homoeopath has certificates on them not homeopath  :)

I suggested Arnica 6c to a friend whose young puppy broke it's leg in a baby gate(he & his wife did not like crates so used a baby gate to confine the puppies  result puppy dog broke his leg, they now use a crate I lent them which he got used to in his recovery)

The puppy's leg healed quicker than the vet had told them & he couldn't believe the rate of recovery(checked by x ray)a another septic who has started studying homoeopathy for use in his practice & is considering qualifications too

OK Moonmaiden you win, I don't usually get involved in Homoeopathy threads and would not have dibbed into this one if I did not think it might have been about herbal medicine it may be a while before I type it again so if I forget again you will have to remind me :)

Shame the Homoeopathic Society couldn't afford a decent printers for their certificates eh! :D

LOL

Good point! I know it should be homoeopathic and I'm guilty as charged but I've got used to spelling it wrong on the computer. Because so many other people misspell it, you get better results from a Google search by omiting the "o"

Homoeopathic     140,000 results
homeopathic    1,100,000 results!

Kath.

I don't really understand your reply Christine.  I haven't critised anyone for believing in homeopathy I only commented on how (in my opinion) someone should go about using herbal remedies.  I stated at the end that I was an Homeopathic atheist so as not to mislead anyone by my comment on homeopathy not requiring this proviso and leave it up to other who do believe in it to provide what information they think necessary I think that is clearly the opposite of argumentative on the matter.

My lack of belief in homeopathy is not based on ignorance on the theory of it, my vet is not a homeopathy vet so I'm not sure why I would ask her for advise on such a subject besides I do have faith in conventional science.

Sorry Isabel, it was late I was tired & I took your post the wrong way :)

Christine, Spain.

No problem Christine

Good :D

Christine, Spain.

maybe you could try looking on this website,www.gentletouchremedies.co.uk. I have used her before ands she is very helpfull .Arinca tablets are fine for your dog.

Thanks for that everyone.  He seems fine this morning after a nights rest, but no doubt he will starin it again later today!!!

Update - milo is going to have an x-ray tomorrow just to check if there is any bony involvement. I don't have a problem with him having this as I am a Radiographer myself and I know that radiation risks are minimal.  Could show a multitude of things other than a fracture, which is very unlikely i think, so fingers crossed.  Just a wee bit scared of leaving my baby boy all alone at the vets for the day!! Boo hoo!